The 2025 Rushmore Challenge

Harrisburg High School

Friday and Saturday, February 14 - 15, 2025

SCHEDULE

Friday, February 14 – Speech Events

• Events: Humorous, Duo, and Dramatic Interpretation, Domestic and Foreign Extemporaneous Speaking, Original Oratory, POI, Informative Speaking, and Student Congress.

• Judging Requirement: One judge per five entries (or fraction thereof) for all speech events. For Student Congress, provide one dedicated judge per school.

• Rounds: Three preliminary rounds and finals.

• Rules: NSDA guidelines apply.

• Extemporaneous Speaking: 7-minute speech (30 seconds grace), 30-minute prep.

• Interpretation, Informative, and Oratory: 10-minute time limit (30 seconds grace).

• Entry Limits: None.

• NORTHERN DISTRICT EXTEMPERS will not be able to enter both The Rushmore Challenge & The Northern District NSDA Qualifying Tournament. Coaches in the RUSHMORE District please reach out if you would like to attempt to have your extempers entered in both.

Due to multiple tournaments occurring in the same building, please follow the provided schedule carefully.

Friday

1:00 - 1:45 Registration

1:45 General Meeting

2:45: IE Round 1*

4:15 IE Round 2*

5:45 IE Round 3*

Quick Dinner Break

7:45 IE Finals*

ASAP Awards

* If you are double entered in extemp and another speech event please follow this rule: if you are 1 or 2 in extemp go to extemp. If your 3 or later go to your other round first.

Saturday, February 15 – Debate Events

• Lincoln-Douglas (Varsity & JV) – Five preliminary rounds, breaking to quarters.

• Public Forum (Varsity & JV) – Five preliminary rounds, breaking to quarters.

• Topics: The January/February NSDA topic for LD and the February topic for PF:

• PF: Resolved: The United States should accede to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court.

• Judging Requirement: Schools must provide judges to cover entries.

• Wi-Fi: Guest access will be available.

Saturday

Debate

8:00 am – PF/LD Rd 1

9:00 am – PF/LD Rd 2

10:30 am – PF/LD Round 3

12:00 pm – PF/LD Round 4

1:30 pm – PF/LD Round 5

3:00 pm - PF/LD Quarters

4:30 pm – AWARDS

5:15 pm – PF/LD Semi Finals

6:30 pm – PF/LD Finals

REGISTRATION

• Platform: Tabroom.com

• Entry Deadline: Wednesday, February 12, at 10:00 PM.

• Questions? Contact Patrick Pope at patrick.pope@k12.sd.us or (605) 376-0667.

FEES

• Public Forum & Lincoln-Douglas: $15 per entry.

• Speech & Student Congress: $10 per entry.

• Missing Judge Fees:

• Debate: $200 per uncovered judge per day.

• Speech: $100 per uncovered judge per day.

• Make checks payable to:
  Harrisburg High School Speech & Debate
  C/O Speech and Debate Team

JUDGES

• Online Balloting Required: Judges must register on Tabroom.com for notifications and ballots.

• Availability: Schools should cover their judging obligations and notify us of any extra judges available for hire.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• Congress Docket: The South Dakota January/February docket will be used.

• Extemp Questions: Released Thursday, February 13. Schools may submit questions for consideration by Monday, February 10.

Concessions will be available throughout the weekend, accepting both cash and credit cards. An ATM is located in the main commons.

AWARDS

• Speech: Top six finishers in each event and Student Congress will receive awards.

• Debate: Quarterfinalists and beyond will receive awards.

• Sweepstakes:

• Top three Class AA schools and top two Class A schools will receive trophies.

VENUE & ARRIVAL

Harrisburg High School
1300 W Willow St
Harrisburg, SD 57032

Since school will not be in session, please use the main entrance upon arrival.

If you have any questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to reach out. We look forward to welcoming you to The Rushmore Challenge in February!

Sincerely,
The Harrisburg Speech & Debate Coaching Staff